Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer visited Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi on a three-day tour earlier this month. Stretty News caught up with Tilak Gaurang Shah, a Manchester United fan responsible for the club icon’s first-ever trip to India, to try understand how the successful tour came about.
Solskjaer has been out of work since leaving Old Trafford three months into the 2021-22 season and he is no rush to return to management, but knows he can’t wait forever to return to management after already turning down multiple offers.
The former United manager was linked with the Bayern Munich job earlier this week, although nothing has materialised yet and Thomas Tuchel is expected to remain in Bavaria for the remainder of the season.
Instead, Solskjaer is using his time away from football to travel the world, meet United fans and watch the beautiful game in different countries.
Respected journalist Andy Mitten joined him on his travels to India and you could tell from the article published by The National that Solskjaer still watches United regularly.
Tilak explained why he brought Solskjaer to India and how a dream became reality.
“I met Ole in Manchester at a similar event,” Tilak told Stretty News.
“While all the fans there, me included, were gushing at the prospect of spending time with him and saying how much he means to us, I thought it would be a good opportunity to share some anecdotes about India; and that he would be pleasantly surprised to see how much the Reds in India love him too.
“Lo and behold, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer toured India for the very first time, in what will go down as a historic three city visit, interacting with hundreds of fans.”
You are my Solskjaer! ❤️#OleInIndia pic.twitter.com/BlpINgv6bm
— Tilak Gaurang Shah (@TilakS710) February 9, 2024
They were greeted by ecstatic fans at every airport, singing Solskjaer’s name in their hundreds, and each of the events were full of Indian Reds.
“In India, so far, we have hosted some of the biggest names. David Beckham, Ronaldinho and Wayne Rooney all within the last 12 months.
“However, it was a bit unfortunate that those who love and adore them the most, ie the fans, did not get a chance to interact with them. Crowded airports, celebrity houses, stadiums, and off they went. Indian fans deserved more than just that.
“This event; An Evening with Ole, was the very first time an event like this took place in India – allowing fans to get up close and interact with him like they have never done before. The fans were ecstatic, airports felt like stadiums, and thousands of dreams came true over just a weekend. It was a rather dreamy weekend.”
When asked for his opinion on what Solskjaer enjoyed most about his weekend in India, Tilak alluded to the warm welcome the Norwegian received, adding: “He has spoken really warmly and even emotionally about his time in India. A couple of things he specifically mentioned to me was the personal connections he built with the fans, when he narrated different incidents from his career which meant so much to them.
“Ole mentioned that it reminded him of his days on the pitch, and what it meant to fans all around the world, even 5,000 miles away from Manchester.
OSCAR Foundation is an NGO that focuses on using sports development to empower underprivileged children.
A few of their children met Ollie in Mumbai, whilst a part of the auction proceeds was donated to their foundation courtesy of #OleInIndia@oscar_fdn pic.twitter.com/Nt8jr8PAOX
— Tilak Gaurang Shah (@TilakS710) February 23, 2024
“Secondly, we had a sand artist at each of the shows to portray Ole’s life in the form of sand art. Ole became really emotional on day 1, when he was pleasantly surprised at what played out in front of his eyes.”
The Solskjaer tour has inspired Tilak to bring more United legends to India.
“The response has been extremely encouraging. Reds in India are heavily underrated for the amount of passion and love they have for the club. This event showed the love, power and desire of Manchester United fans in India to want more experiences like this. Solskjaer is as big as it gets for us to kick off a series of such events, and will surely lead to much more interest going forward.”
Finally, Tilak was keen to stress that he is a Manchester United fan rather than a promote. He set up the tour in attempt to bring Manchester United closer to India, which is something he wants to continue to push in the future.
“I am a Manchester United. I am not a ‘promotor’. I did this project simply keeping in mind my passion for the club and also my desire for my country to get closer to the club.
“On average, I shed a few tears a couple of times each day – whether at the airport in Mumbai, or when Ole took his phone out to film the sand artist while almost shedding a tear himself, or in Delhi after the show when Ole told me in person just how special the weekend was… Fans, partners, venues, Ole himself, my family and my friends – this weekend will stay with me forever.
“I am bringing Manchester United closer to India and I simply cannot wait for what folds out next!”
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
